Day 1
Bangkok – Queenstown
Depart Bangkok for Queenstown, New Zealand. Your tour leader is with you throughout, with the trip dossier and activity plan.
New Zealand8 Days 6 Nights
The journey, day by day
Day 2
Arrive Queenstown
Arrive in Queenstown in the afternoon — the lakeside adventure capital on Lake Wakatipu. Check in and unwind.
Novotel Queenstown Lakeside 4* (or equivalent)
Day 3
TSS Earnslaw – Walter Peak Farm – Skyline Gondola
Cruise the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak Farm for a sheep-station show, then ride the Skyline Gondola for views over town and lake.
Novotel Queenstown Lakeside 4* (or equivalent)
Day 4
Helicopter – Jet Boat – Queenstown
Adrenaline day: a scenic helicopter flight over the mountains and a high-speed jet boat on the Shotover River, with free time to shop in Queenstown.
Novotel Queenstown Lakeside 4* (or equivalent)
Day 5
Arrowtown – Kawarau Bridge – Lake Wanaka – Tekapo
Gold-rush Arrowtown, the Kawarau Bridge birthplace of bungy, Lake Wanaka, then on to Lake Tekapo with its turquoise water and the Church of the Good Shepherd.
Grand Suites Lake Tekapo 4* (or equivalent)
Day 6
Lake Tekapo – Christchurch
Enjoy Lake Tekapo in the morning, then travel to Christchurch, the Garden City of the South Island.
Novotel Christchurch Airport 4* (or equivalent)
Day 7
Christchurch – Alpaca Farm – City Lookout – Shopping
Visit a charming alpaca farm, take in the Christchurch city lookout, and enjoy free time to shop before farewelling New Zealand.
Novotel Christchurch Airport 4* (or equivalent)
Day 8
Christchurch – Return Flight
Morning transfer to Christchurch Airport for the flight home, arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok, in the afternoon.
Note: this is a private group trip — accommodation can be tailored to your wishes, for example a large luxury villa perfect for the whole family.
Top-choice stays
Hotels chosen for you
South Island doesn't have European-style five-star luxury everywhere, we choose the best in each town for location, real views, and warm service.
- Novotel Queenstown Lakeside 4* (or equivalent) · Queenstown (3 nights), lakeside setting on Lake Wakatipu in the heart of town
- Grand Suites Lake Tekapo 4* (or equivalent) · Tekapo (1 night), spacious suites beside the turquoise lake
- Novotel Christchurch Airport 4* (or equivalent) · Christchurch (2 nights), comfortable and convenient by the airport for the return flight
Note: If The Hermitage is unavailable (peak Nov–Mar) we substitute with Aoraki Court Motel or Mt Cook Lodge. Upgrades to Eichardt's Private Hotel (Queenstown, 5-star boutique) available on request.
What's included
- 5 top-choice hotels (incl. airport hotel final night)
- private Mercedes V-Class with driver/guide throughout
- TranzAlpine scenic train first-class observation carriage
- Helicopter Snow Landing on Franz Josef Glacier
- Shotover Jet
- Skyline Gondola + Luge
- Walter Peak farm dinner with TSS Earnslaw cruise
- Gibbston Valley wine tasting
- Mt Cook + Lake Tekapo entries
- tour leader
- professional photographer
- NZeTA + IVL
- comprehensive insurance
- daily breakfast
- 14-day photo album
- International flights (TG/SQ/QF via SYD or SIN, Economy ~THB 38,000–52,000 / Business 155,000–185,000 quoted separately)
- lunch & dinner except Walter Peak
- optional Milford Sound day trip (+THB 12,000/pax, 12-hour day)
- optional Bungee Jump at Kawarau Bridge
- shopping
New Zealand reviews · 4.9 / 5
★★★★★
"Helicopter landing on Franz Josef Glacier, 20 minutes walking on ice with no one else there. The team flew us up an hour before the other groups arrived. The photographer's shot has been hanging on our wall ever since."
★★★★★
"One night at Mt Cook lying on the bed watching the stars from the window of The Hermitage, with Aoraki right in front of us, the most peaceful sleep of my life."
★★★★★
"Lake Pukaki at sunrise, turquoise water with Aoraki Mt Cook right in front of us, so beautiful I cried. Every room at The Hermitage faces the mountain; opening the curtains in the morning felt like a painting. The driver knew every photo spot on the route.
Common questions
When is the best time to go?
October–April is the sweet spot, NZ spring/summer/autumn, with wildflowers, clear lakes, and 15–25°C. November–January for lupines along Lake Tekapo (purple all the way to the shore). March–April for autumn colours at Arrowtown. May–October is winter and ski season at Coronet Peak / Cardrona / The Remarkables, we can reshape into a ski itinerary.
Is the Helicopter Snow Landing safe and reliable?
Safe, operators are CAA NZ certified. Weather-dependent: flights operate roughly 70–85% of days. Wanvela always has a backup plan (Glacier Hot Pools, Sentinel Rock walk, Wildlife Centre, or rescheduling to next morning). If the operator cancels, the full helicopter component is refunded.
Do we need a visa before departure?
Thai passport holders do not need a tourist visa for stays up to three months, but must register an NZeTA (Electronic Travel Authority) online 72 hours before boarding. NZD 23 + International Visitor Levy NZD 100, about THB 2,900 total. Wanvela handles this for every traveler as part of the service.
Are the driving distances too long?
They are long, particularly Franz Josef to Queenstown at 5 hours (via Haast Pass UNESCO + Lake Wanaka + That Wanaka Tree), and Queenstown to Mt Cook at 3 hours. The Mercedes V-Class is far more comfortable than a coach, the driver doubles as a guide, and we stop for photos every 90 minutes. For children under 6, we recommend basing in Queenstown for 3 nights with day trips out.
How unpredictable is the weather, what should we pack?
"Four seasons in one day" is normal on South Island. Summer (Dec–Feb) runs 10–25°C; autumn (Mar–May) runs 5–18°C. We send a layered packing list, merino base layers, fleece, wind-and-rain shell, light scarf, waterproof hiking shoes. Heavy outerwear and gloves are provided for the helicopter snow landing.
Can the route be modified, Milford Sound or the North Island?
Yes. Milford Sound can be added as a day trip from Queenstown (12 hours, +THB 12,000 / pax), or the route can stretch to include a night at Te Anau for a more comfortable approach. North Island (Auckland, Rotorua, Hobbiton, Waitomo Caves) requires a domestic flight and a 12–13-night trip, add-on cost starts around THB 95,000 / person, talk to us as a Private Trip.
